“VERY GOOD NEWS”

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21708, 20 April 1942, Page 3

“VERY GOOD NEWS”

BLOW AT JAPAN’S HEART BEGINNING OF OFFENSIVE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tei. copyright; LONDON, April 19 The London Times says the news of the attack on Japan is very good. Up to now, the Japanese have been raining blows over a vast area, while none have fallen on their own community. They owe this immunity partly to the blow they struck before the inauguration of the war. This bombing of Tokio is a good augury, for the blow at the heart will be followed by many more. The New York Times says: “The successful attack made by American bombers on the great cities of Tokio, Yokohama. Kobe and Nagoya is a forecast of things to come. It is proof that our long-range striking power in the Pacific is rapidly increasing. “It warrants the hope for believing that the day is not greatly distant when we can carry the attack in force to the heart of the Japanese Empire, using not only seaplanes based on carriers, but land planes based on Alaska and China and, ultimately, Siberia itself. “In these attacks we will doubtless destroy, as we have already destroyed, much civilian property. It is an unhappy business, but it is a necessary business, for it is inescapably part of total war, and we cannot shrink from giving the heaviest blows we can deliver.” Elation in America Washington was greatly elated by the reports of the bombing. The chairman of the Military Committee of Congress, Mr May, who last week predicted that Tokio would be bombed shortly, said: “It is the beginning of a general offensive against Japan.” Mr Carl Vinson, chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee. said, “The bombing indicates that the Allies have started their offensive.” The chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Mr Snyder, said: “I predicted in January that Tokio would be bombed before May. I now predict that it will be bombed from many quarters before July.” 11 y special arrangement neuter’s World Service, in addition lo other .-pedal sources or information, is used In the compilation of the overseas intelligence published in t ills issue, and all light* tnerein in Australia and >ew Zealand are reserved Such of toe cable news in this issue as is so headed has appealed in tbe Times and is so seut to tin- paper by special pernils--:on. H should Lc understood that the opinion 15 not that of tbe Times unless exprissly stated tn to ao.